Coop

[foamspoon]

Hello,

I have had hens as layers for years. I would like to try my hand at raising meat birds.

Here is my question.

I have read a lot of the threads where you move the tractors around the yard so they can fresh grass, bugs, etc to eat. I have a nice spot to raise them next to my run where I keep my hens. Can I let them occupy this area, there should plenty of room for them? Will they move into their own coop at night by themselves like the hens do with theirs? I would prefer not to have to move a tractor around the yard but will if I have to.

Here is a picture of what I have available?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That looks nice. A couple points though.
If you raise Cornish Rock cross, most don't care to forage much. Freedom Rangers are better foragers.
If you keep them confined to their coop 3 or 4 days and then let them out, they'll go back to where they were safe at night.
All meat birds, because they're slow and not wary are susceptible to being picked up by hawks.
Whenever I free range meaties, I usually lose a few to hawks.

 

[redsoxs]

Nice enclosure - your meaties should love it! And yes, they will go into their coop at night!

 

[CoopDeViIIe]

Meat birds really don't need a coop. Hell I'm not sure they would even roost. They just need an enclosed area on the ground to sleep and get out of the weather. This is why tractors work well. Whether your area is suitable will also depend on how many birds you plan to have.

 

[foamspoon]

Thanks for the replies. I think I am going to get 15 Red Rangers. My only concern is keeping them safe at night. I want to make sure they will go into a safe place where I can lock them up at night.

Thanks,

Bryan

 

[foamspoon]

Do you think if I built just the box part like this for them they would be ok at night locked up and during the day they could forage around?

 

[CoopDeViIIe]

Yep.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They'll go in but make sure they have lots of ventilation.

 

[foamspoon]

Thank you for replies. I look forward to them coming on Monday.

 

[foamspoon]

Here is the coop I am almost done with. It will have a hinge for both sides of the top. This will only be used at night. They will be free ranging during the day. Do you think there will be enough ventilation?